My muscles tightened and I moved faster. Ronan’s pillow slipped, and he groaned as he orgasmed, his back arching off the bed, his grip tightening on my hip. I shut my eyes, color exploding behind the lids as I shook with my release.
Then I collapsed on his chest.
For a moment, there was only the sound of our heavy breathing. Then Ronan spoke. “Is this going to be a regular thing? Not the dreams, but attacking me in the middle of the night? Because I’m all for it.”
I giggled.
“I need to anchor this headboard if it is. Oil the bedframe. I wonder if we could add extra insulation to the walls.”
I began to laugh. “Maybe some headphones for Evan would be cheaper.”
“Hmm.” He ran his hand down my back. “I’ll go on Amazon in the morning and get some.” He lifted my chin. “Okay now, little bird?”
“Yeah. I think I was feeling overwhelmed and nervous. All the change,” I explained. “First night in a new place and all.”
“I understand. And if you need to work that shit out again later? I’m right here. Anytime. I’m your guy.”
I smiled. “Yes, you are.”
I fell asleep wrapped in his arms.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ronan
I checked everything one more time, not leaving anything to chance. Evan shot me a grin. “Relax, it’s all good. It’s going to work perfectly.”
I ruffled his hair. “Easy for you to say, kid.”
He laughed. “I suppose.”
I grew serious. “Thanks, though, for all this.” I indicated the table. “She’ll love it.”
He beamed at me. “I know.”
Upstairs, I heard the women moving around, and I huffed out a long breath. “Showtime.”
“You got this,” Evan assured me. “It’s a slam dunk.”
I grinned at him, still hard to believe this was the same kid I had met a few months ago. Since moving here six weeks ago, he had begun to fill out, and his walk was getting better. His leg was stronger and his gait more confident. My dad hoped that he might be able to walk with one crutch soon, and after that—none. Evan’s posture had changed, and he had become surer of himself. A lot of that had to do with my family, but a huge part of it was his new home life. Beth was around more—she was relaxed. I was there. We were a family unit. I was part brother/part father, and I prized every aspect of both. It had taken Beth longer to settle than Evan. He was all too happy to embrace his new reality, Beth feared losing hers, but the past couple of weeks, she was better. I loved hearing her laugh. Sharing meals with her and Evan. Watching movies or taking walks on the beach. Lying in bed and having her tell me about the clouds we could see or listen about the approaching weather system.
Liam and Paige married quickly and quietly. Beth and I were their witnesses, and we went out to dinner afterward. We kept Lucy for the weekend, and on Sunday when they got home, they announced it to the family.
The following weekend, everyone celebrated. I swore no one could pull off a party the way my family could. Even short notice and low-key, it was epic.
And now, it was my turn.
I climbed the steps, hearing the chatter that always followed a book club meeting. Broken into smaller groups, they were having coffee or wine. Most of the men were back in the fold, always anxious to steal away their other half and find out what had been discussed. I personally liked it when Beth would read to me, and I would help her reenact my favorite parts of the book just so she fully grasped its contents. Scarlett Scott had become my favorite author, because her steamy scenes always made me smile.
Widely.
I found Beth in her favorite place in the Hub. Sitting in the library, quietly enjoying a few moments to herself. Those were still rare for her these days. But she welcomed me with a smile.
“Hey, Thor. What you been up to?”
“Evan and I made some cool stuff with our Lego.”
“Oh yeah?” She laughed. “You two and your Lego.”
I held out my hand. “Come see.”
She let me pull her from her chair, and we headed downstairs. No one moved from their spot or followed us. They all knew better.
She shook my hand. “You’re holding me too tight, Ronan. And why is your hand shaking?”
“Oh, sorry,” I muttered.
Downstairs, I led her to the table, stopping in front of it. She frowned in confusion at the array of Lego bricks laid out in odd ways.
“Um, an abstract?”
I held out my hand. “It’s better if you look at it from up high. Climb on the chair.”
She chuckled. “You guys have gotten so complex.” But she let me help her up, and I kept one hand on her to make sure she was steady. She rested her hand on my shoulder and looked down at the table, the abstract now clear.